| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 2 hours | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 440 | 25g | 10g | 16g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 4g | 35g | 0.7g |
Why I Love Romanian Pork and Mushroom Stew
Every recipe that I share holds a special place in my heart; they are each an integral part of my culinary diary. Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to a hearty Romanian dish that has become a favorite in our household: the Pork and Mushroom Stew. From its robust flavor to its distinct texture, it’s truly a dish that never fails to impress.
Embracing Different Cultures
An essential part of being a food enthusiast is exploring various cuisines from all corners of the world. I hail from a family deeply rooted in West African and Southern American cooking traditions. However, I also relish diverging from my culinary roots to discover amazing dishes from other cultures. This Pork and Mushroom Stew is an excellent example of stepping outside my comfort zone and finding a culinary gem in the process.
Celebrating Comfort and Flavor
The Pork and Mushroom Stew recipe is one that blends simplicity with hearty, robust flavors. The pork shoulder forms a beautifully tender core, while the mushrooms provide an earthy richness. The paprika adds a warmth that is balanced by the tang of the dill, and the finishing touch of sour cream provides a creamy textural counterpoint. Each ingredient sings in perfect harmony with the others, treating your palate to a real Romanian feast.
I’ve drawn my inspiration from Adrian Hădean, a famous Romanian chef known for his pursuit of authenticity and creativity in local Romanian cuisine. His respect for ingredients and the harmony of flavors has always inspired me to try out and share diverse recipes such as this Romanian stew.
In conclusion, this Pork and Mushroom Stew is more than just a dish–it’s a celebration of culture and a culinary journey worth taking. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your table as it has to ours. Fuze it with a hint of Afro-Southern flavors or enjoy it as is. Bon appétit!
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 pounds of pork shoulder, cut into chunks
- 1 pound of fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups of chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Method
Step One
Start by heating the vegetable oil over medium heat in a large pot. Once the oil is hot, add the pork shoulder chunks and cook until they are browned on all sides. This should take around 5 to 7 minutes. Then, remove the pork from the pot and set it aside.
Step Two
In the same pot, add the sliced mushrooms, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook these ingredients until the onions become translucent and the mushrooms are browned. This will typically take around 10 to 12 minutes.
Step Three
Next, add the paprika, dill, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir these seasonings in to combine them with the onions, mushrooms and garlic. Let them cook for about 2 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Step Four
Now, add the browned pork back into the pot. Then, pour in the chicken stock and add the can of diced tomatoes, juice included. Stir everything together, making sure to scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot. These hold a lot of flavor!
Step Five
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours. You want the pork to become very tender. You should stir it occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the pot.
Step Six
Just before serving, stir in the sour cream. This will give the stew a tangy, creamy touch. Then, ladle the stew into bowls and garnish each serving with a sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!
